Waterproof casting material?

Specialties Orthopaedic

Published

Hi all, I am a dialysis nurse, don't know a thing about ortho... HOWEVER, I have severe tendonitis in right arm, wrist and something is wrong with r shoulder/neck. I see specialist next week. My family doc thinks he will put me in a long arm cast for 6-12 weeks.

We have a pool and two little ones. Someone recently told me they have a new material that is waterproof, and the fiberglass cast goes on top.

Do you know anything about it? Thoughts?

Fiberglass casts have been used for years without the regular padding underneath to be waterproof. You used to see quite a bit of it in California and other beach areas for people that were always in the water and were not going to give that up for six weeks or so.

My son, at 8, had a broken arm , about 3 yrs ago. We requested a waterproof cast since it was summer - in fact, had to get it replaced on vacation since it got wet - and 2 different ortho offices did not want to put waterproof cast on.

I don't recall the reason why...there was a reason, tho... I just don't remember. So, they are out there, but I guess what I am saying is that it may not always be the best option.

On a side note, the original cast my son had on, he wore to Green Bay Packer "camp" and it was signed by all the Packers - and he was so upset that it had to be cut off. Fortunately, the ortho that cut it off was one of the docs in Green Bay that worked w/ the Packers - doc spent almost 30 minutes cutting off the cast so none of the signatures would be ruined. What a champ! The guy gave up his lunch hour to fit us in and take care of us -

One doctor I like! :chuckle

SJ

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